Phipps Conservatory Recognized with 2017 Green Power Leadership Award

For Immediate Release: Wed., Oct. 25

Contact: Julie LaBar | Director of Marketing and Communications
412/622-6915, ext. 3801 ǀ jlabar@phipps.conservatory.org

Phipps Conservatory Recognized with 2017 Green Power Leadership Award at Renewable Energy Markets Conference
Revolutionary “Make the Switch at Phipps! Green Power Drive” program garners national recognition.

Pittsburgh, Pa. — Nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the 17th annual Green Power Leadership Awards winners, recognizing Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Leadership in Green Power Education. The U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership awards honor outstanding organizations and individuals for their roles in promoting and expanding the use of clean, renewable energy, presented this week at the Renewable Energy Markets conference in New York, NY. 

This year’s award recipients were selected for their commitment to increasing green power use based on many criteria, including the size and scale of their green power use, leadership and innovation in purchasing green power, internal and external communications efforts, as well as organizational strategy for investing in green power.  The Leadership in Green Power Education award features organizations that are championing green power education, teaching others about the environmental benefits of green power and renewable energy.

“This year’s winners are true leaders in helping expand access to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said CRS Executive Director Jennifer Martin. 

Phipps was honored as a result of many high impact educational initiatives including Make the Switch at Phipps! Green Power Drive program, showing guests that everyone can make a measurable difference.  In partnership with Green Mountain Energy, when guests switch their home electricity source to renewable, fossil-free energy during their Conservatory visit, they receive a free year-long family membership to Phipps.  Year to date, over 1,600 guests have made the switch. Powering the average Pennsylvania home emits nearly 8 tons of carbon dioxide annually.  As a result, at the end of each year, these guests will have prevented 12,640 tons of carbon dioxide emissions which is equivalent to preventing 26,548 barrels of oil from being burned. 

Phipps’ dedicated adult and youth educational programs on sustainability, in addition to the Conservatory’s continued commitment in helping visitors recognize the vital connections between environmental and human health, were also recognized with this award. 

Among organizations registered with the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, Phipps is one of only six institutions in the Museums, Parks and Zoos category and the only public garden that uses 100% renewable energy. 

For more information on Phipps’ sustainability leadership and commitment, visit phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation. 

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About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more: phipps.conservatory.org.

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Photo © Paul g. Wiegman